By Bhabesh Dutta Fusarium wilt has emerged as a chronic problem in watermelon-growing regions in the United States, including Georgia. The disease has been responsible for significant pre- and post-harvest losses in yield and quality. Fusarium wilt is caused by the fungal pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum (FON). DISEASE SYMPTOMSIn the field, symptoms typically start within two to three …
National Orange Juice Day Celebrated on Social Media
May 4 is the day to celebrate Florida’s signature crop — citrus that is squeezed into wonderfully delicious orange juice. That’s right, it’s National Orange Juice Day! People have taken to social media to mark the occasion. Here’s a few posts we captured.
Once ‘Outrageously High’ Watermelon Prices Drop in Recent Weeks
By Clint Thompson What was once out of this world market prices for Florida’s watermelon producers have come back to earth a bit. Laura Land, a watermelon farmer from Branford, Florida, and member of the Florida Watermelon Association, discusses how prices have dropped in recent weeks. “They were outrageously high (two weeks ago). They’re moving down pretty quickly. They’re in …
Hot and Dry: Weather Conditions Not Conducive for Pecan Scab Development
By Clint Thompson What a difference a year has made so far for Georgia pecan producers. Unlike last season when persistent rainfall forced growers to be active in their fungicide applications, this year’s dry conditions have allowed farmers to be more conservative in their scab sprays. “It could not be any better. Everybody should have their irrigation running,” University of …
Nematode Control in Potatoes
By Clint Thompson Potato producers need to be diligent in applying nematicides. Nematode control is essential every year, especially for farmers in Northeast Florida, says Zane Grabau, assistant professor of nematology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). “The main thing is you can’t take a year off from applying a nematicide. If you do, …
House Ag Committee Hearing on SNAP Benefits
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was highlighted at a House Agriculture Committee hearing on the farm bill late last week. Though it’s referred to as the Farm Bill, more than 75 percent of the spending in the bill is for nutrition programs such as SNAP. Chairman David Scott of Georgia used his opening statement to discuss the importance of …
What’s Happening? Clemson Extension Agents Provide Updates
Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Weekly Field Update Coastal Region Zack Snipes reports, “It seems like everything happened all of a sudden this week. We are flushed with strawberries right now. I am seeing some anthracnose on berries as well as lots of …
South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline: Diamondback Moth Update
Diamondback moth populations remain at low levels across the Southwest Florida region, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Moderate levels are being observed in cabbage and other brassicas around the Everglades Agricultural Area. Insecticides are being reported as effective. Moth pressure remains moderate to high in cabbage along the East Coast. Populations were reported between 2 and …
Senate Ag Committee Begins Farm Bill Work
The Senate Ag Committee hosted a farm bill listening session on Friday in Michigan, the home of Senate Ag Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow. Michigan’s agriculture is similar to California’s, in that dairy and specialty crops are predominant. “Our most recent Farm Bill passed with the strongest bipartisan support ever,” said Senator Stabenow. “Senator Boozman and I continued that strong bipartisan …
What To Do About Anthracnose Fruit Rot in Blueberries
By Philip Harmon and Doug Phillips Anthracnose fruit rot (AFR), also known as ripe rot, is a significant disease on southern highbush blueberries. Caused by the fungal pathogen Colletotrichum gloeosporioides on southern highbush blueberries in Florida, AFR creates sunken lesions on the surface of blueberries. This is followed by eruptions of orange- or salmon-colored spores from the lesions when the …